Description

The goal of the Agriculture and Food Security program is to support innovation for more efficient and sustainable agricultural production to enhance food security, incomes, and nutrition that benefit small-scale farmers (particularly women).

Job Overview

Join our team of professionals to put your ideas and knowledge to work to help solve some of the developing world’s most critical challenges. As Associate Director – Food Security, in the Agriculture and Environment Program Area, you lead IDRC’s global programming in agriculture, food security, and livestock health. You inspire, motivate and manage high-performing teams of at least 20 staff in Ottawa and IDRC’s regional offices, to deliver innovation for large-scale positive change in developing regions of the world; build leaders for today and tomorrow; and, to position IDRC as a partner of choice. Your expertise and networks contribute to ensuring that IDRC contributes thought leadership and demonstrable, gender transformative outcomes in the most relevant aspects of global food security internationally, and in a context of complex, global change. Building on IDRC’s historically strong focus on agricultural innovation, you will lead a strategy of partnership for program growth, with a focus on uptake and scaling-up for large-scale impact. You will develop and lead efforts to strengthen institutional relations and capacities, such that IDRC contributes significantly to Canada’s contribution to global goals, including achieving the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. You embody IDRC’s mandate and values, engage actively in the development of the Centre’s vision for the future; and lead by example as an advocate for excellence, diversity and respect in the workplace.

Candidate Profile  

Education

• PhD and a record of applied research and of publication relevant to international development, agriculture and food security in developing regions OR

• Master’s and record of applied research and of publication relevant to international development, agriculture and food security in developing regions and significant experience.

Experience

This position requires seven to ten years of relevant experience,  in agriculture, nutrition or food security research, or a related, relevant field in international development which includes several or all of the following aspects:

• developing strategy for,  and implementing agriculture or food security programs in international development, research or other relevant context;

• leading and managing multidisciplinary, international professional teams located in different locations and with diverse backgrounds and expertise;

• experience conducting and/ or managing research; a track record of high-quality research in a relevant field;

• relevant experience in food security or research programming in a developing country would be considered an asset;

• building and maintaining strategic partnerships, as part of a track record in institutional strengthening and research capacity building;

• communicating strategically and effectively to a wide range of audiences including executives, academia, policy actors and practitioners; effectively communicating results and impacts of research to these audiences;

• proven track record in both risk management and in obtaining results; and

• administrating research funds such as within a grant-making organization would be considered an asset.

Language

• English and French language skills at an intermediate level

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of agriculture, food security, sustainable international development issues, including gender and other major trends and development priorities in agriculture and food security

• Knowledge of Canadian international development priorities not essential but would be an asset

• Strong networks of key actors in developing regions and internationally who are relevant to agriculture and food security research and research uptake.

• Understanding of knowledge translation, institutional strengthening, research uptake and policy influence approaches and trends appropriate to international agriculture and food security research for development

• Self-awareness and understanding of management style, strengths and weaknesses

• Understanding of program monitoring and evaluation approaches, results frameworks and tools

Additional Information

This position requires a willingness to travel internationally, an average of 60-90 days per year. For more information regarding primary duties or responsibilities, view Job Details.

Ideal start date in the position would be in May 2017. Although this is a permanent position, we will consider secondments.

How to Apply

Please provide a cover letter along with your CV, setting out precise examples of how your experience, qualifications, and skills match those required for this position.

We appreciate the interest of all candidates, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

IDRC values a diverse workforce and is committed to achieving employment equity. If you are an Aboriginal person, a member of a visible minority group, a person with a disability or a woman, don’t hesitate to apply and identify yourself!

If you are selected for an interview, please advise us if you require special accommodation.

Please indicate in your application that you found this position at Impactpool.